Pacific Park along White River in Pacific opens in early April with seasonal flood barrier removal

March 23, 2017 10:30 am
Pacific Park along White River in Pacific opens in early April with seasonal flood barrier removal

Public access to Pacific Park will be restored in early April when crews are scheduled to remove temporary flood barriers along the White River that have helped protect the City of Pacific from seasonal flooding.

The King County Flood Control District is funding removal of the barriers, known as HESCOs, and the work is expected to take three or four days to complete.

“After another wet winter, we’re reminded how important these temporary barriers are to both residents and our local economy,” said King County Flood Control District Chairman Reagan Dunn. “They provide much-needed insurance for our riverfront communities.”

Since 2009, the flood-protection barriers closing Pacific Park have been installed each October and removed in early April following the conclusion of flood season.

October 2016 was the wettest on record, with more than 10 inches of rain measured. February 2017 was the second-wettest February recorded, with 8.85 inches of rain.

“Public safety is our top priority, and the added flood protection that this HESCO wall provides to the people and businesses in downtown Pacific is well worth the temporary loss of access to Pacific Park,” said King County Flood Control District Supervisor Pete von Reichbauer.

As the threat of severe seasonal flooding diminishes, King County River and Floodplain Management employees are coordinating with crews from King County Roads and the City of Pacific to remove the HESCOs and restore access to the riverside park.

“We appreciate the Flood Control District’s annual efforts to add this significant level of flood protection for residents and businesses in Pacific,” said Pacific Mayor Leanne Guier.

The HESCO barrier was initially installed as a temporary flood protection measure along the White River following flooding in 2009.

Later this spring, crews will resume work on a major flood risk reduction project directly across the White River from the Pacific Park. The Countyline Levee Setback Project includes removing a constrictive levee along the river and reconnecting the river to more than 120 acres of historic floodplain, which gives floodwaters more room to fan out and lose their erosive force.

Information is available at kingcountyfloodcontrol.org.